After a violent altercation on Thursday in which a landscaper was shot during a robbery attempt, Decatur Police have detained two suspects. According to FOX 5, the incident happened shortly after 5 p.m. close to the intersection of Clairmont Avenue and Maediris Drive. Surveillance footage showed 17-year-old Jonquai Holt and 22-year-old Jeffrey Thorpe running through neighboring yards after the landscaping staff was targeted while they were at work.
After receiving reports of the gunshot, authorities were called to the 1000 block of Clairemont Avenue at approximately 5:16 p.m.The victim, whose identity has been kept anonymous, was taken immediately to a hospital for treatment, according to WSB-TV.
Concerns have been voiced by locals about their community’s safety. In an interview that FOX 5 was able to secure, neighborhood resident Josh Rich said he was shocked and worried, particularly given the area’s close proximity to a school bus stop that kids frequently use. “Although this is a generally peaceful area, there have been a few instances in the last 12 months where I feel that there is not enough police presence. Rich said, “I think that could help deter some of it,” implying that increased police presence could serve as a deterrent to future criminal action.
According to Decatur Police Lt. John Bender, opportunistic criminals are increasingly viewing landscapers as easy prey. Bender went on to explain that these workers must employ locked, safe trailers and keep a close eye on their work sites, saying, “Thieves think they are an easy target because they have a large truck with thousands of dollars in equipment left there on the street.” “If they can have someone in the front of the house and the back of the house, it can help keep an eye on things,” he said FOX 5 with advise for landscapers.
First responders stress the importance of robbery victims putting their safety first. “Hand over the item and call the police,” Lt. Bender suggests. As FOX 5 noted, “Be a really good witness to what happened, but don’t try to resolve it right then,” emphasizing the value of informing authorities above engaging in conflict. The suspects, Thorpe and Holt, are being kept at the DeKalb County Jail while the case is being handled. They are now being charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery, and handgun possession.
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